Ucu Agustin

Last updated
This is an Indonesian name which does not have a family name. The subject should be referred to as Ucu

Ucu Agustin
Ucu Agustin Image.jpg
Ucu Agustin in January 2011
Born (1976-08-19) 19 August 1976 (age 45)
Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia
Alma mater Jakarta Islamic State University
OccupationDocumentary filmmaker
Height1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)

Ucu Agustin (born 19 August 1976 in Sukabumi, Indonesia) is an Indonesian journalist, writer, and documentary filmmaker.

Contents

Educated in an Islamic boarding school, Ucu became interested in journalism after realising that there were many prostitutes from her hometown. Beginning in the print media, she moved to making documentaries after she saw a lack of opportunities for human interest pieces in newspapers. One of her first documentaries, Death in Jakarta, was produced with the help of funds from the Jakarta International Film Festival. Other documentaries include Ragat'e Anak and Konspirasi Hening. She has also written several children's books and short stories.

Ucu has been described as "one of Indonesia's top documentary filmmakers" [1] and often deals with social issues in her work. Ragat'e Anak was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2009.

Early life, education and early career

Ucu was born in Sukabumi, West Java, on 19 August 1976 to a strict Muslim family. As a child, she studied in the Darunnajah Islamic boarding school in Jakarta for six years; removed from the outside world, she felt shocked when she learned that many of the women in her hometown worked as prostitutes. [2] [3] This discovery led her to become more critical of the world around her and made her interested in journalism. Ucu later attended the Jakarta Islamic State University. [2]

After graduation, Ucu began working with print media, [2] contributing to Pantau magazine after publishing several short stories and articles elsewhere. [4] Dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities for writing pieces dealing with social issues she later switched to audio-visual media; [2] she has also cited the intense amount of editing that her works went through as a reason for the change, noting that there "always seemed to be a wide space between the reality that happened and the 'reality' that was reported". [4]

Ucu also became active in writing. She published five Islamic-themed children's books in 2003, insisting on receiving royalties rather than the standard flat rate. [5] She has also written a short story, entitled "Lelaki yang Menetas di Tubuhku" ("The Man That Hatched Inside My Body"), for inclusion in the lesbian-themed short story collection Un Soir du Paris (An Evening in Paris). The book also included stories by Clara Ng, Seno Gumira Ajidarma, and Agus Noor. [6]

Filmmaking

Ucu's first documentary was Pramoedya: Last Chapter. [4] In 2005, Ucu made the 28-minute documentary Death in Jakarta. [2] This film, dealing with the experiences of poor people after a loved one dies in Jakarta, was inspired by her observations when passing Utan Kayu Public Cemetery in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta. It was produced after becoming one of four finalists in the Jakarta International Film Festival Script Development Competition. Ucu received Rp. 25 million (US$3,000) in prize money and was lent a camera by the competition; it was her first time using a professional-grade camera. [7] In April of that year she released Kalau Kanakar (If Kalakar?), a short story collection. [8]

Her next film, Ragat'e Anak (For The Sake of Children), dealt with the lives of two part-time prostitutes in a cemetery in Tulungagung, East Java. [2] The documentary was included in Pertaruhan (At Stake), a compilation of works produced by the Kalyana Shira Foundation. [1] In August 2006, Ucu released a short story compilation, Dunia di Kepala Alice (The World in Alice's Head), and a novel, Being Ing. [8] On 4 June 2009, the Tulungagung government shut down the prostitution district as a result of the documentary; in response, Ucu said that she regretted the decision. [9]

Her next documentary, Konspirasi Hening (Conspiracy of Silence) was produced by Nia Dinata. It drew its title from a statement by Kartono Mohamad, former head of the Indonesian Doctors Association, that a "conspiracy of silence" had led to rules about healthcare being essentially unenforceable. [10] The feature-length film, Ucu's first, explored healthcare issues in Indonesia by following the lives of three people, two who had suffered from malpractice and a poor man without access to healthcare. [10] [1]

In 2011 Ucu collaborated with Dinata again on Batik: Our Love Story, a documentary on the traditional textile batik. [11] Dinata directed, while Ucu served as screenwriter. [11] As of September 2011, Ucu is working on three documentaries: Knocking The Door, about the Indonesian Bill for Public Information; Thank You for Loving Me, about deforestation in Indonesia; and Where Did You Go My Love, about kidnap victims. [4]

Through the Cipta Media Bersama program, run by the Ford Foundation in collaboration with several other groups, in November 2011 Ucu received a Rp.700 million (US$100,000) grant to produce a new film. [12] The film, entitled Tidak Bermula [dan Tidak Berakhir] dengan Berita (Not Starting [and Not Ending] With News) will compare the habits of the press during the death of former president Soeharto and the media in 2012; it is hoped to shed light on issues faced by the press in both periods and promote media literacy. [12]

Themes

Ucu's Islamic children's books take a moderate stance. [5]

Ika Krismantari, writing for The Jakarta Post , notes that Ucu tends to deal with "challenging" themes such as social injustice, healthcare, and gender inequality in her documentaries; [2] gender issues are present in most of her works. [1] Ucu considers social justice and human rights other key themes of her works. [4]

Ucu has noted that she hopes that viewers are influenced by the hard lives faced by the subjects, whom she calls "inspiring". [2] In September 2011, she stated that she was most pleased with Death in Jakarta, Ragat'e Anak, and Konspirasi Hening. Many of her documentaries are distributed online. [4]

Reception

Krismantari describes Ucu as "one of Indonesia’s top documentary filmmakers". [1]

Ucu was one of the winners of the 2005 Jakarta International Film Festival Script Development Competition, which led to her being able to make Death in Jakarta. [7] Pertaruhan, containing her documentary Ragat'e Anak, was shown in the Panorama section of the Berlin International Film Festival in 2009; together with Laskar Pelangi (also shown that year), it was the first Indonesian film shown in Panorama. Ucu went to Berlin with Dinata to attend the showing. [13]

Personal life

Krismantari describes Ucu as being "a petite woman who can pack a fair punch", in reference to Ucu's 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) frame and strong mind. [2]

Filmography

Related Research Articles

Prima Rusdi is an Indonesian screenwriter and writer.

Nia Dinata

Nurkurniati Aisyah Dewi, better known as Nia Dinata, is an Indonesian film director. Her movies are known for tackling subjects controversial or "risky" in Indonesia such as homosexuality, migrant workers, and polygamy.

Happy Salma Indonesian actress, model, and writer

Happy Salma or Jero Happy Salma Wanasari is an Indonesian actress, model, and writer. Originally working as a model, she later acted in numerous sinetron before acting in 2005's Gie. She married Ubud prince Tjokorda Bagus Dwi Santana Kertayasa in 2010. The following year she was chosen as best supporting actress at Indonesian Movie Awards for her role as a prostitute in 7 Hati 7 Cinta 7 Wanita.

<i>Quickie Express</i> 2007 film by Dimas Djayadiningrat

Quickie Express is a 2007 Indonesian movie. Directed by Dimas Djayadiningrat, it stars Tora Sudiro, Aming, Sandra Dewi, and Lukman Sardi. It premiered on 22 November 2007 and won Best Film at the Jakarta International Film Festival. It has been noted as spawning numerous Indonesian sex comedies.

Djenar Maesa Ayu, also known as Nay, is an Indonesian novelist, short story writer, actress, screenwriter, and filmmaker. Her work has variously been described as "provocative and lurid", and unique and brave. Because of the boldness of the topics she writes about, Ayu is considered to a member of the informal movement labeled sastra wangi.

<i>The Dancer</i> (2011 film) 2011 film by Ifa Isfansyah

The Dancer is a 2011 Indonesian film based on the trilogy of novels Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk by Ahmad Tohari and directed by Ifa Isfansyah. Starring Nyoman Oka Antara and Prisia Nasution, it tells the story of a young man and his friendship with his small village's new ronggeng.

Slamet Rahardjo

Slamet Rahardjo Djarot or better known as Slamet Rahardjo is an Indonesian actor, director, and screenwriter of Javanese descent. He is the elder brother of director, songwriter, and politician, Eros Djarot. Since his directorial debut in 1979 with Rembulan dan Matahari, he has directed and/or written twelve films; one of which, Langitku, Rumahku, was Indonesia's submission to the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991.

HIM Damsyik

Hajji Incik Muhammad Damsyik, better known as HIM Damsyik was an Indonesian dancer and actor.

Clara Ng Indonesian writer (born 1973)

Clara Ng is an Indonesian writer who is known for both adult fiction and children's literature.

Giring Ganesha Musical artist

Giring Ganesha Djumaryo is an Indonesian vocalist and political activist. He is a former lead singer of the Indonesian rock band, Nidji. On 31st December 2017, he announced his resignation as Nidji's lead vocalist in order for him to be focused in his political journey. Giring Ganesha is the Acting Chairman of Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) to cover Grace Natalie while she pursued her master's degree.

<i>Jamila dan Sang Presiden</i> 2009 film by Ratna Sarumpaet

Jamila and the President is a 2009 Indonesian film directed by Ratna Sarumpaet and starring Atiqah Hasiholan and Christine Hakim. It follows the story of a prostitute sentenced to death for killing a government minister.

Atiqah Hasiholan Indonesian-Arab actress and model (born 1982)

Atiqah Hasiholan Alhady is an Indonesian-Arab actress and model.

<i>Un Soir du Paris</i>

Un Soir du Paris is a lesbian-themed short story collection compiled by SepociKopi.com and published in 2010 by Gramedia Pustaka Utama. It consists of twelve short stories collected over a three-year period from several publications. The first Indonesian short story collection dealing with lesbianism, it received mixed reception.

Mira Lesmana

Mira Lesmanawati or better known as Mira Lesmana is an Indonesian film director, producer and songwriter of mixed Dutch, Javanese and Madurese descent. She is the elder sister of Indonesian jazz musician, Indra Lesmana.

Laura Basuki Indonesian model and actress

Laura Basuki is an Indonesian model and actress of mixed Javanese, Chinese and Vietnamese descent.

Sinematek Indonesia Film archive in Jakarta, Indonesia

Sinematek Indonesia, or Sinematek for short, is a film archive located in Jakarta. Established in 1975 by Misbach Yusa Biran and Asrul Sani, the archive was the first in Southeast Asia, and remains the only one in Indonesia. It is home to roughly 2,700 films, mostly Indonesian, and also houses numerous reference works. Since 2001 it has been underfunded.

Ratna Asmara Indonesian actress and film director

Ratna Asmara was an Indonesian actress and film director. Originally active in theatre, in 1940 she starred in the romance film Kartinah, which her first husband Andjar directed.

Mona Ratuliu is an Indonesian actress and presenter. She appeared in the soap operas Lupus Milenia and Pelangi Di Matamu. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Graphic Design of Tarumanegara University.

Nila Tanzil is the founder of Taman Bacaan Pelangi a non-profit organization focused on promoting literacy in remote areas of eastern Indonesia. Nila holds a master's degree from the University of Amsterdam, in The Netherlands and a bachelor's in International Relations from Parahyangan Catholic University where she was named "Best Graduate of The Year".

Alya Rohali

Alya Rohali is an Indonesian show host, film and television actress and a beauty pageant winner, who was crowned Puteri Indonesia 1996, She represented Indonesia at the Miss Universe 1996 pageant. She is the first and the only Puteri Indonesia titleholder, who finish the reign in a 4 years streak, from 1996 to 1999.

References

Footnotes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Krismantari 2010, Tackling the tough questions.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Krismantari 2010, Ucu Agustin: Small.
  3. ↑ Mohamad 2008, Pelacur.
  4. 1 2 Sembiring 2008, Writing for Muslim Children?.
  5. ↑ Sembiring 2010, Reading Between The Lines.
  6. 1 2 Yazid 2006, Script-winners' films given.
  7. 1 2 Kumala 2010, p. 121.
  8. ↑ Osman 2009, Film About the Struggle.
  9. 1 2 Siregar 2010, Indonesia's Health Care.
  10. 1 2 Hidayati 2011, Cinta dalam Selembar.
  11. 1 2 Wikimedia 2011, Not Starting (and.
  12. ↑ Sasono 2009, Pelangi Indonesia di Berlin.
Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.